People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor

Aw c'mon how shocking can it be? (btw thousands of people beat heroin addiction every year!)

People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor

If the other kids are sick, don't go. An infant can wind up hospitalized because of a stomach virus.

I came to work today after 2 sick days because of a meeting that I changed to today to allow for my vacation next week. I dragged myself in, and have little energy. I was reading the paper and saw that someone I know died. Now, I'm sick and sad, and trying not to cry at my desk. She spent her wholi life caring for people, and died while she was visiting her mom on Christmas.

Sorry to hear about you loss.

We haven't been going to any regular events for that precise reason. Our group of friends here have ladies night every Thursday and generally one among the group hosts a party for every holiday. We haven't attended any of them since SeaMonkey was born. At least one in the group is either sick, getting over being sick, or has sick kids at home. We just don't want to risk it yet. They all think we are being too protective, but they never had babies that cried for hours on end either.

We haven't been going to any regular events for that precise reason. Our group of friends here have ladies night every Thursday and generally one among the group hosts a party for every holiday. We haven't attended any of them since SeaMonkey was born. At least one in the group is either sick, getting over being sick, or has sick kids at home. We just don't want to risk it yet. They all think we are being too protective, but they never had babies that cried for hours on end either.

That's not overprotective, it's sensible. Imagine that. You'll have a good 10 - 12 years taking SeaMonkey to places before it's not cool to sit beside you.

People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor

Maytag repairman finally showed up with the parts needed to fix our front-loading washer and only needed to replace one (the more expensive, natch). The other was not necessary, so we saved some cash. While I'm happy about that, it's the second major repair in 18 months we've had the w/d and I'm not happy about that at all. #firstworldproblems

I know, you could put it in the form of a cryptic haiku...or possibly a koan

People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor

Last year around this time I thought to myself, "2012 will be better than 2011." As we approach 2013 I'm beginning to say to myself, "If I made it through 2012 then I can survive 2013." Hubby thinks that is fatalistic.

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.-Martin Luther King Jr.

I am kinda over this "legendary customer service" motto that my employer has. Really, my true response should be about 1/2 the time is go fuck yourself...

Legend.... wait for it... dary.

I find that we have to use big words and flowery words to hide the truth. I would go a place with customer service. After the first time there, I will determine the quality of that service. Your motto is pretty useless to me. Just do it.

A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams